Mike Manning of "Mackay and SE Queensland Storms" has very kindly allowed Air Queensland.blogspot to share some absolutely superb photo's of Caboolture based, Mustang Flights Australia CAC CA-18 Mk21 Mustang VH-MFT (commonly known as "Snifter") captured at Mackay Airport on Saturday, April 25 while participating in the 100th Commemoration of the Gallipoli landings in 1915.
VH-MFT spent the previous day at Bundaberg before heading further north to Mackay.
Based on the North American P-51D Mustang and powered by a Packard Merlin, 12 cylinder, liquid cooled engine - VH-MFT was manufactured in Australia in 1947 by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) where the all-round fighter served as A68-110. However, you will note 'Snifter' is painted to represent A68-769, the personal aircraft of the Commanding Officer of No.82 Squadron in Japan.
Research revealed the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation built 200 Mustang aircraft at Fishermans Bend, Victoria under licence from North American Aviation in the USA.
The decision to manufacture Mustang aircraft in Australia was reportedly made during World War II as a result of the outstanding success achieved by the type as a long-range escort fighter on missions in Europe and the Pacific and commonly regarded as the best all-round fighter of World War II.
To learn about the brief history of each individual Mustang that was operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, you will find the link below of interest :
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a68c.htm
Meanwhile, "Mackay and SE Queensland Storms" by Mike Manning can be found by clicking onto the following link :
https://www.facebook.com/mackaystorms
On a final note, Air Queensland.blogspot would like to sincerely thank Mike for allowing us to share photo's of such a graceful 'ole lady of the skies.
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
(Mike Manning)
